texture like ash in my mouth. My throat burned. I fought the urge to vomit,

fect performance of subservience. My eyes, however

s, wide and horrified, darted between Bolden and me. She looke

ho meticulously organized her pharmaceutical empire, who demanded perfection in every facet of her life. That Cassie would ha

olden. He saw the fire in my eyes, the steel in my spine. He knew I wouldn't tole

While I was focused on rebuilding my life, they were poisoning my father's heart medication, watching him slowly fade away,

hip, seized control of Mathews Corp. The family legacy, built over generations, was now theirs. Their names were

m of my father's murder. I had even tried to push him, a desperate, clumsy attempt at retributi

unwell." Dr. Althea Stuart, the kind, astute psychiatrist they brought in, was quickly sw

glory, their stolen fortune. They thought they had won

y legs feeling heavy, each step a conscious effort. I picked him up, cradling his small, warm body agai

s something unsaid in her gaze, something almost pl

arrying Leo into the nursery. I hea

It was Bolden. He had followed Kan

clean it up. She always does." He handed her a bottle of ind

dn't look at me, but her eyes held a new kind of fear.

ommand. I understood. The cleansing. The

the bathroom, the strong chemical smell of the cleaner already filling the air. My hands were st

solution. The pain was immediate, searing. My skin screamed. I bit back a cry, a whimper. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction

's voice, devoid of emotion, br

y pulled on a clean, oversized shirt, my movements

u should try to be less... dramatic. It only makes things harder for you." He paused, a

hreats. Comply, and perhaps I wouldn't end up back in t

oung talent I hired, the one who saw my vision, who understood my drive. He swore he loved my ambition, swore he' d

ently. "Cassie, are

I understand." I tried to step past him, towards the

yet firm. "What happened to you, Cassie?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.

iving little witch. You broke me, piece by agonizing piece. You made me watch my father die, stole my company

oses, his hand in mine. His vows, whispered against my ear: "I promise to cheris

ine. "I miss the old Cassie," he murmured. "The o

instinctively. His lips grazed

oice was laced with something I almost m

I remembered the true Cassie. The one they thought they had buried. She was sti